Telling My 4 Year Old

I am also pregnant and when we told my daughter (who's 4 1/2), she was really excited. She also didn't ask too many questions at first but my overall philosphy is to be truthful when answering but don't go into too many details. She did ask (after a few months) how the baby will get out. I told her from my vagina and she laughed and said that was silly and that was that. She's never asked about it again. She definitely pays more attention to my belly than anyone and named the baby "Dumpling" until we find out if the baby's a boy or girl. We have also focused on all the things she can do as a "big girl" that the baby can't do and how important her job will be to teach the baby and how much the baby is going to love her. We got a great book at Borders that's more for girls but it's called "How to be a baby (by me, the big sister)." She loves it and we read it everyday. Good luck!!!

My four year just kept asking me when he was going to come out of my belly button. He never really asked any questions that was hard for me to answer. I just told him that he was going to be a big brother and then I let him know that he needed to help me. And got him really excited about getting to help feed him and hold him, etc.

When i was pregnant with my baby (who is now 17 months), we told my oldest then 2, that i was going to have a baby and he was going to be the big brother, he was more excited then anyone else i think, he always wanted to talk and kiss my tummy, he loved it, and you know when i had him he was much calmer around him then mostly anyone else, i guess that had alot to do with it. He never asked any questions not sure if that was because of his age or what. Hope this helps you. CONGRATS on the new baby!!

When I told my son "mommy is having a baby," my son said, "oh baby sister." He didn't ask where it was. I asked him what he would call it, he said Sherry. I then said it might be baby brother and what would you call it he said Mickey. I had a girl and her name is Sherrie-Michele who will be 31 in March. We were in Quebec when she was born and "y's" are "ie" so that's why the spelling. Michelle lost an "l" in translation and is the European Michael. So it depends on the child.

My five year old didn't have any questions other than repeatedly asking if I really had a baby in there. She remembers when I was pregnant with her brother and was SO excited to find out we were pregnant again. Sorry I don't have better ideas...hope it goes well!

Hi, KC!! I dont have advice about what to say, however, I'm jealous, jealous, jealous of you!!! My husband and I are also trying for numero dos!! I've read your other posting of finding out that you are pregnant. Now this. Please keep us updated!! I'm soooo excited for you and your family. GOOD LUCK!!!! Are you hoping for a girl this time around?
Margaret:)

My kids have never asked many questions with each new arrival. We are having our 5th in three weeks. The biggest question has been what is it (we didn't find out) and when will it come out. So, we mark off the days on a calendar. There is a great book, "The House Inside My Mommy," by Giles Andrae that tells the story of a family welcoming a new child from the perspective of the older brother. We read it to my kids many times during each pregnancy, and it seemed to help too. Congratulations!

It was so funny for me, when I got pregnant with my son and we told our daughter about it, she was super excited. We got her a little baby with a diaper bag and all the works so she could work on being a mommy too. The funny thing is that for some reason she thought that my son came out of my leg!! Keep your little boy super involved in the whole process that way he does not get jealous. Let him see the pictures and listen to the baby's heart beat too. I just had to share that with you!!